ICC fears worse scandals to come

The Former West Indian captain, Brian Lara, and Australian Mark Waugh, who were named in India's Central Bureau of Investigation 162-page report into match-fixing, yesterday strongly denied the allegations.

The Former West Indian captain, Brian Lara, and Australian Mark Waugh, who were named in India's Central Bureau of Investigation 162-page report into match-fixing, yesterday strongly denied the allegations.

However, the new president of the International Cricket Council, the Australian Malcolm Gray, said he feared the worst was still to come in the scandal over corruption in the sport.

The CBI report, which also implicated a number of former Test captains, quoted the bookmaker MK Gupta as saying he paid money to Lara and Waugh.

Gupta said Lara had been paid $40,000 (£26,000) to underperform in two one-day matches and also said he had paid Waugh $20,000 at a six-a-side tournament in Hong Kong to provide team information.

"I categorically deny taking money from a bookmaker or anyone else to under-perform," Lara said in a statement released back home while he was travelling with the West Indies team to Australia. "I have passed this matter to my lawyers."

Waugh was equally emphatic. "The unsubstantiated allegations from India are totally untrue," he said. "All the evidence is there, but of course I'm willing to co-operate if there are any further investigations."

But Gray, president of the ICC, is prepared for more bad news. "I think we're getting to the bottom of it now but I can assure you that it is a lot deeper and broader than anybody realised or expected," he said.

India's administrators have asked a former police official to suggest what action should be taken against Indian players named. A report is expected in 10 to 15 days' time.

The South African board yesterday officially banned Hansie Cronje for life. In a statement the UCB said: "With immediate effect, WJ Cronje is banned for life from membership or participation in the UCB, its structures or activities."